Valorant is an FPS (First Person Shooter) tactical game that combines the concepts of high-energy gunplay and strategic thinking. The game provides…
Valorant's New Agent Astra Is Beautiful But Not Deadly: First Impressions.
Butcher79
Ahead of the release of Agent Astra in Valorant, we were lucky enough to get a preview of the newest character to join the fray. Here are our first impressions of the dark-skinned warrior.
Thanks to previous agents, Valorant fans have high hopes for new releases. Full of creative concepts and ideas of their own, new agents are expected to have a bit of bling.
Yoru's release earlier this year was definitely a rollercoaster ride because, despite the hype leading up to its release, it has faded a bit in both the casual and competitive realms.
And here's Astra is a brand new ball game. Unlike anything we've ever seen before, I was so excited from the moment I saw her to the moment I took her for a walk in Future Earth. So, here are my first impressions of the new agent.
Astra is beautiful
From the first glance at the Astra, I was already obsessed. The character design is a perfect blend of traditional and futuristic African values, brought to life by iconic voice lines and a cheeky sense of humor.
And that's before I talk about her abilities. There was a moment of collective silence in our first game as we watched in awe at how beautifully her abilities were brought to life.
From her Ultimate that cuts the world in half and beautifully absorbs bullets with a rippling effect, to her star map design, everything is literally out of this world.
As for the unique design, the Astra comfortably lives up to expectations. What about her gameplay? After all, this is the most important part.
Astra is quite complex
One of the main problems that bothered Yoru since his release - how complex he is . Both analysts and players believe that other duelists can do what he does in half the time. Unfortunately, Astra may fall into the same rut.
As Riot promised, Astra is a tactic. She fades into the background and surveys the battlefield, and will not rush to the front lines anytime soon.
Without an Omen-style Shadow Step escape route to be on the safe side, Astra is really into background utility. So, if you want to be in the middle of things, she really isn't for you.
As Killjoy says, "You can't just shoot, you have to think," and Astra literally embodies that.
She does very little damage.
While Astra's abilities may seem powerful at first, they really lack punch. Unlike the Viper or Brimstone, which have built-in grenades, the Astra doesn't really have anything.
You might argue that the other Omen Controller also doesn't have a damage-focused set, but he does have the element of surprise with his ult and Shadow Step.
And each one of her little shiny balls of rock doesn't really do any real damage. Her Gravity Well is similar to Zarya's ultimate in Overwatch, Graviton Surge , so it has no damage as a focus. Her Signature Nebula is smoke, and her Nova Momentum is great for concussing, but not breaking up the enemy team.
This certainly puts her in her place in the damage department, but I'd say her Ultimate makes up for it effectively.
Ultimate Astra is crazy!
When you first see Astra drop her Ultimate in-game, you will quickly realize that the bright purple wall is a game-changer.
With the ability to cover the entire map, her Cosmic Division blocks bullets and muffles any nearby sounds. One wrong step and you really will find yourself on the wrong side of the wall.
Perfect for cutting off and isolating enemy team members when attacking, as well as detonating a bomb or the spike itself on defense, the risk of getting past her Ult makes her incredibly useful in the right hands.
It will be interesting to see how Riot develops this brand new style of abilities. I already feel there is a backlash lurking behind the scenes, so let's see what happens.
Astra is beautiful, but not exactly deadly
As the main controller in the back seat, I am very happy to see an agent like Astra in the game. The perfect way to rejuvenate your rusty brain during these crazy times, she's a great addition to the Controller realm.
However, if you've been looking for a one-shot kill monster, you'll be disappointed. The Astra is no agent for the more aggressive of us, but hopefully you can admire the work that went into its design.
In general, it causes controversy. Either way, we can't wait to see her transition to Future Earth in style.
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